Urgent .. Iraq announces measures following the US withdrawal and talks about its next move

The National Security Council held its weekly meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, and discussed the issues prepared for the agenda, first and foremost the decision to withdraw from the Syrian territory and the precautionary and precautionary measures necessary.

The prime minister stressed that the government is carrying out its duties to protect the security of the country and to prepare and anticipate events to prevent any possible damage to the repercussions of the resolution and to intensify efforts by Iraqi forces to prevent any terrorist attempt to bandage.

He pointed out that the American side renewed its commitment to cooperate with Iraq and continued to provide the necessary support to the Iraqi forces and informed us of the official decision of the withdrawal and its prospects through a telephone call from the US Secretary of State.

The National Security Council discussed the situation in the province of Basra, where he briefed the Council on the field reports from the security authorities on indicators to improve the security situation in Basra as a result of cooperation between citizens and security forces and in conjunction with the directives of the Prime Minister for service departments to redouble their efforts and accelerate work to meet the legitimate demands of citizens, And discussed a number of solutions, proposals and demands to support the stability of the province and the rule of law and the preservation of the interests of citizens and raise the level of services and stimulate the economic situation in the province.

The National Security Council discussed securing the border crossings and listened to a detailed explanation of the reality of the ports and the challenges facing its work. The Council took the necessary recommendations on them and directed in cooperation with the security leaders to deal with the problems facing the work.

The Council reviewed the system of passenger prior verification API, submitted by the Civil Aviation Authority as one of the requirements of Member States in accordance with international agreements.

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After being described by Iraqis as “looting” .. Federal Court: No retirement salaries for MPs

BAGHDAD / Al-Masala: On Sunday, December 23, 2018, the Federal Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional articles in the House of Representatives Law No. 13 of 2018, including pensions. In a statement received by the court, the court’s spokesman Ayas al-Samuk said the court also ruled unconstitutional article 13, which singled out the president of the council and his deputies, and the members of the council with salaries different from salaries covered by the unified pension law. Article 17, which authorized the council to issue legislative decisions, And article 68 on the authority of the Council in establishing the system of priorities as being the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Iraqis are still pursuing a voluntary campaign to abolish salaries and pension benefits for MPs, which are doubling fantastically with the succession of election cycles.

Those who called the call, the National Campaign to Abolish Parliamentarians’ Retirement, say it is aimed at “justice in the division of wealth”.

“It is not reasonable that a parliamentary retirement is five million dinars for a four-year service, while a 25-year-old employee’s salary does not exceed 300,000 dinars,” a digital activist wrote on the Facebook campaign page.

According to statements by members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives to the media, followed by “obelisk”, it can be said that “the nominal monthly salary allocated to one deputy at the current session of about 10 thousand dollars, as well as salaries of 30 security elements and 50 thousand dollars to buy a car.”

“Achieving a courageous goal to stop the depletion of public money by parliament must be on the ground, not a dream in the form of a joke in Facebook,” says author and academic Mohamed Yunus.

“We call on the people to demonstrate before the parliament until tangible results are achieved,” he said.

Yunus went further than that when he called for the intervention of the UN body, saying that “the enjoyment of these privileges by MPs is a crime against humanity.”

“A servant serving his country has four decades to come out with a short pension, while a retired parliamentarian is worth more than 50 pensioners,” he said.

“We are the only ones in the world to give pensions to the outgoing MPs and loot them with special advances with plots in high-end areas,” said Ahmed Hadi.

On the campaign page, Mawlama says that “the total number of parliamentarians’ salaries in one year is only 32 million dollars.”

The former deputy and economic expert Salam Samism described former and current members of the House of Representatives and their protections as “an army of retired pampered and constitute a heavy burden on the Iraqi treasury.”

“The current number of deputies is 325 deputies, and with the payment of 10 thousand dollars each means that they receive 3 million and 250 thousand dollars a month, as well as 3 million dollars paid to them under the name of (rent allowance).”

“We can imagine the size of the huge sums paid each month,” she said. “This is the situation of the current deputies. As for the former, we can count 275 deputies from the former parliament and their protectors and 100 members from the National Assembly and their protections. We now have a whole squad of protections. ”

“Iraq now has an army of pampered retirees who are paid millions of dollars a month without providing a service that deserves it,” said Smisem, a specialist in the economy. “The situation will be worse after four years, Much on the Iraqi treasury. ”

The Obelisk

US intelligence warns: if united Iraqis will impose their control over the entire Middle East

Secrets of Media: US intelligence has uncovered a plan that has been described as dangerous to integrate Shi’ites, Sunnis and Kurds into a single project led by an unnamed supreme body in Iraq.

The New York Times reported that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had spotted the plan, led by a supreme religious authority based in Najaf, to integrate Shi’ites, Sunnis and Kurds into a political, social and economic project that would govern Iraq in full.

The CIA report revealed a sharp decline in the sectarian approach that prevailed over the past years among the local components. The organization did not succeed in destroying the social fabric of the Iraqis, but increased the convergence of communities and nationalities.

The report said the influence of the United States and Iran’s eastern neighbor has declined significantly beyond what was thought.

The report pointed out that the substantial aid provided by America and Iran to gain geopolitical gains in Iraq could not make effective lobbies because of the axis led by this supreme religious body.

The agency warned of the unity of the Iraqis, which could eventually lead to their control of the international equations that control the entire Middle East, which calls for a quick review of the White House policy and concessions to the Iranians in order to preserve the interests of the two parties in the Iraqi arena, according to the newspaper.

Source: Asrarmedia.com

BGG ~ 1) It is highly unlikely there will ever be the level of ethnosectarian unity this article implies.

2) As I read this, I am struck – I get the sense this is political propaganda against both the US and Iran. Probably put out by someone like Sadr.

3) It sounds a lot like whomever is putting this out is telling Iraqis: “If we get together, we can run the Middle East”, which is also unlikely.

4) Arrogant? Yes. Within their realm of thinking? Almost identical to Saddam’s mindset. Realistic? Not really.

First Iraqi reaction on McGurk resignation

Arbil/ Iraq TradeLink: Ex-Iraqi minister and a leader in the Kurdish Democratic Party Hoshiar Zebari describe(s) the resignation of the special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Brett McGurk as “wise and timely”.

Brett McGurk, the top US official leading a 79-nation coalition fighting ISIS, resigned from his post on Friday in protest of the president’s sudden decision to withdraw all US troops from Syria.

McGurk said in an email to staff that President Donald Trump’s decision on Syria came as a “shock,” was a “complete reversal” of US policy, and “left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered.

“I worked this week to help manage some of the fallout but — as many of you heard in my meetings and phone calls — I ultimately concluded that I could not carry out these new instructions and maintain my integrity,” he wrote.

McGurk, the special presidential envoy in the long-fought battle, was planning to retire in February, but sped up his departure as a result of the president’s controversial and unexpected decision to pull all 2,000 US troops out of the war-torn Middle Eastern nation, CBS News reported on Saturday.

He wrote in the email, which was first reported by the Times, that he could not abide the dramatic change in policy, which Trump announced by tweet without consulting Congress or US allies.

McGurk’s resignation comes just one day after Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced he is quitting over Trump’s withdrawal from Syria, treatment of US allies, and the handling of American adversaries.

On Saturday, Trump called news reports concerning Syria “mostly FAKE” and insisted that the terrorist group is “largely defeated” and can be contained by neighboring countries, including Turkey, despite the fact that the group retains as many as 30.000 loyal fighters.

“When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains,” Trump wrote. “We’re coming home!”.

Source: Iraqtradelinknews.com

The first Iraqi bank to receive an internationally recognized credit rating

Baghdad –  The credit rating agency Fitch announced on Wednesday that the Iraqi Bank for Trade B-degree with a stable outlook, while the bank stressed that the strength of the balance sheet and the high level of profitability in its work as well as liquidity and diversification strategy behind the classification.

According to the agency that the classification of the Iraqi Bank for Trade came to the credit rating B – to be the first Iraqi bank to obtain a credit rating official by a rating agency of the world, the main factors that lead to a positive assessment is to improve the prospects for growth and the business environment and security situation, Reduce the budget deficit, thereby reducing the debt ratio of GDP over the medium term.

All of the Bank’s financial and banking operations have been evaluated according to internationally recognized Fitch standards, which represent the Bank’s overall financial health with a focus on financial reporting, portfolio management, profitability and diversification, as well as liquidity, income and other banking factors.

Faisal Al-Hims, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Iraqi Bank for Trade, said that the risks to the classification are balanced at the present time, pointing to the importance of the role of security stability in the country during recent times in improving indicators of foreign investment and the recovery of the commercial market. He expressed his happiness with the result of the credit rating, describing it as a major achievement as the first of its kind for the Iraqi banks, and that it is in line with the principles of sovereignty in Iraq.

Commenting on the Fitch Ratings decision, Mr. Faisal Al-Hims said: “The strength of the balance sheet, the high level of profitability in the BTI’s business, coupled with liquidity, diversification strategy in the corporate and retail sectors, confirm the growth and employment opportunities resulting from it. The creditworthiness of the Iraqi economy and the quality of services provided to the Iraqi citizen, as well as our success in providing innovative banking products and services, which demonstrates our relentless efforts in implementing our strategic initiatives. ”

“We have achieved many achievements that have won numerous awards and accolades in recent years, and we continue to relentlessly pursue our vision with greater enthusiasm and determination.”

It is worth noting that the Iraqi Trade Bank has achieved great achievements since its opening in 2003, and continues to play a key role and influence in the development process of Iraq. The success of the Bank’s efforts is directly related to the stability and prosperity of Iraq and will have a long-term positive impact on Iraqi society.

The Iraqi Bank for Trade has a network of banking branches in Iraq which plays a very important role in identifying sources of financing and securing projects. As a leading and trusted institution among international banking institutions, the Bank has opened a representative office in the UAE in 2017. Since then, the Bank has established joint working and cooperation relationships with leading international banks and financial institutions to finance infrastructure projects inside Iraq, Reconstruction of Iraq.

It is worth noting that BTI is a leading financial institution in Iraq and has financial transactions with a network of 417 international banks in 61 countries around the world.
At the end of 2017, the total assets of the Iraqi Trade Bank amounted to US $ 19.300 billion, with a net profit of US $ 362.432 million. The Iraqi Trade Bank has a local branch network of 25 branches across Iraq with 122 ATMs and cash deposit. And is one of the most important banks in the Middle East because of its global reputation enabled him to win many awards, and this success is attributed to the confidence of customers and citizens of the bank.

Source: Mawazin.net

Halabousi agrees to a parliamentary request to host the Implementation Committee Article 140

Baghdad today – Diyala – The House of Representatives Speaker Mohamed Halboussi on Sunday approved a parliamentary request to host the committee to implement article 140 of the constitution in the parliament to “discuss the reasons for not completing the work that was formed for it and the file of compensation of deportees.”

“The deportees from Khanaqin after 2003 of more than 3,000 people have not been paid compensation, despite the completion of the fundamentalist measures since 2012,” MP Mudar Maan al-Karawi said in a request document presented to Halabousi. Their names to the commission to compensate. ”

The document showed the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to “host the Implementation Committee Article (140) of the Constitution to discuss the reasons for non-completion of the work that was formed for it, including the file of compensation of deportees.”

Baghdadtoday.news

“Salim al-Jubouri” minister of the “Defense” Wassen al-Douri Minister of “Education”

Baghdad / Sky Press – After news of the nomination of a military command to be accepted by the Iraqis, the re-name of Salim al-Jubouri again, to take over the defense in the cabin of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

According to the media reported informed political sources, today, a meeting held in the presence of a number of deputies of the National Coalition and the National Axis Alliance agreed to nominate two personalities for the post of Minister of Defense.

Where the nomination of Major General Hisham Daraji and Salim Jubouri for this position, according to the sources ended the meeting to vote in favor of Jubouri, and that the nomination and the age of the League for the post of Minister of Education.

Skypressiq.net

Deputy for Asrun: Preliminary agreement with the construction to change the Fayadh and defense candidates

Deputy for Asrun – Preliminary agreement with the construction to change the Fayadh and defense candidates(Baghdad: al-Furat News) The deputy in the bloc of Saasron, Badr al-Zayadi, revealed the existence of a “preliminary agreement” between the reform and the building coalition to change the candidates for interior and defense.

“The coalition of construction revealed the intention to change the candidate for the Interior (Faleh Fayyad) in the next few days and give freedom to Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to choose the alternative.”

He revealed that “the existence of a preliminary agreement between reform and construction by changing candidates for the Ministries of Defense and Interior,” noting that “the Prime Minister has the ability to change the candidate of the Ministry of Justice with an independent minister to keep the strife between the Kurdish blocs.”

“The program of Abdul Mahdi was not successful in the current budget, and will not offer anything of his program and will encounter a lot of problems.”

The Council of Representatives was granted at its meeting last Tuesday, confidence to Qusay al-Suhail Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Abdulamir al-Hamdani, Minister of Culture; and Nuri Nateq Hamid, Minister of Planning.

While postponing the vote on the candidates of the Ministries of Interior, Defense, Justice, Education, Migration and Displaced because of the continuing disagreement of the political blocs.

The parliament is due to hold its regular session today, but its agenda is not to vote on the rest of the ministerial cabinet

Source: Alforatnews.com

Abdul-Mahdi: Iraq will not be a conduit for terrorism

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Wednesday that Iraq will not be a conduit for terrorism and aggression against any other country.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, Abdul-Mahdi said during his meeting with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Wednesday that Iraq is a diverse country religious, national and intellectual, a source of strength and we look at all Iraqis on the basis of citizenship and national identity. “We are keen to establish the best relations with our neighbors, our region and all the countries of the world, and we do not accept that our country is the headquarters of terrorism or the path of aggression against any other country.

He pointed out that his country looks forward to expanding cooperation between Iraq and Australia in all sectors, in a way that enhances the interests of the two countries, as well as the participation of businessmen and Australian companies in the reconstruction of Iraq and the provision of employment opportunities.

For his part, the Australian Prime Minister said that his country is friendly to Iraq and has always been supportive of his efforts to fight terrorism and will continue this support in all areas and that his visit to Baghdad reflects the depth of relations between his country and Iraq.

Source: Jordan News Agency

European currencies are falling against the Iraqi dinar

Abdul Rahman – Direct: European currencies fell against the Iraqi dinar, while the US dollar rose in front of it.

The euro fell 0.24% against the Iraqi dinar, the pound fell 0.4%, while the dollar rose 0.09% against it, compared to previous levels.

The Japanese yen depreciated 0.27% against the Iraqi dinar at 8:10 am GMT.

The performance of the GCC currencies was positive against the Iraqi dinar, with the value of the Saudi riyal, the UAE dirham up 0.1%, the Qatari riyal 0.09%, the Bahraini dinar 0.07% and the Jordanian dinar 0.06%.

The Kuwaiti dinar depreciated against the Iraqi currency by 0.04 % .

The Egyptian pound depreciated against the Iraqi dinar by 0.03 % .

Source: Mubasher.info